Cooling device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a cooling device, mainly comprises a carrying unit, a thermal insulation unit, and a temperature-lowering module. The thermal insulation unit is provided over a part of surface of the carrying unit for blocking heat transmission between the carrying unit and the outside. As the carrying unit is placed on the temperature-lowering module, a cooling chip in the temperature-lowering module is able to lower the temperature of the carrying unit and a biological sample. Furthermore, the thermal insulation unit is able to maintain the temperature of the carrying unit and biological sample, when the carrying unit is removed from the temperature-lowering module. Thereafter, a user can conveniently practice observation and experiment with respect to the biological sample, and avoid damaging the biological sample during experiment or transportation by the use of the cooling device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to a cooling device for maintaining the temperature of a biological sample on a carrying unit in a certain range and facilitating a user to observe or transport the biological sample.

BACKGROUND

Biological samples prepared in biological laboratories generally include enzymes, anti bodies and added reactants, and should be preserved in a certain range of temperature without being damaged. For instance, the tissue or the activity of enzyme of a biological sample may be damaged if the biological sample freezes, while the reaction may occur early or enzyme may become inactive if a biological sample is subjected to a higher temperature (room temperature) for a long period of time.

In a laboratory, it is common to pour the prepared biological sample into test tubes (or known as micro centrifugal tubes), and preserve this biological sample by means of ice block made by an ice machine, for the further observation or experiment with respect to this biological sample. For instance, the biological sample may be preserved and the subsequent experiment or observation may be performed in the environment of an ice bath formed by inserting the test tubes and the thermometer into an ice bucket having ice blocks therein.

The temperature within the ice bucket may rise, however, in the condition of ice/water coexistence formed due to the gradual melting of ice blocks situated in the environment at room temperature for a long period of time. In the process of experiment, therefore, it is necessary for a user to keep an eye on the temperature value of the interior of the ice bucket displayed on the thermometer at any time, and add ice blocks into the ice bucket continuously. The possible temperature rise of the biological sample may occur, further resulting in an experimental error or damage to the biological sample, if the user neglects the temperature rise of the interior of the ice bucket or forgets the addition of ice blocks.

In the condition of ice/water coexistence within the ice bucket, the test tubes may sink or float in ice water, harmful to observation. Moreover, the tube mouth of the test tube or micro centrifugal tube may touch ice water inside the ice bucket, leading to contamination to the biological sample within the test tube when the ice water at the tube mouth flows into the biological sample. In the process of experiment, therefore, it is still necessary for the user to keep an eye on the condition within the ice bucket. As the ice blocks within the ice bucket melt to a certain extent, the user should pour away ice water within the ice bucket and add new ice blocks immediately.

If the observation of biological sample is performed in the aforementioned way, trouble in performing an experiment may be caused for the user, and additionally, the probability of experimental failure caused by contamination to the biological sample may be also increased undoubtedly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one object of the present invention to provide a cooling device, allowed for maintaining the temperature of a biological sample on a carrying unit in a certain range for a long period of time. A temperature-lowering module can be applied for controlling the temperature of the biological sample to facilitate the experiment or observation with respect to the biological sample.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cooling device, in which a carrying unit and/or the thermal insulation unit may be either placed on or separated from the temperature-lowering module. A user is allowed to remove one carrying unit from and then place another one onto the temperature-lowering module during experiment, thus enhancing convenience of operation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cooling device, in which a carrying unit is able to carry a biological sample. A part of surface of the carrying unit is covered by a thermal insulation plate so as to block heat transfer between the carrying unit and the outside. Furthermore, the thermal insulation plate is capable of maintaining the temperature of the carrying unit together with biological sample at a certain degree of temperature for a period of time after they are removed from the temperature-lowering module.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cooling device, which comprises fins for drawing heat generated by a cooling chip. The cooling device further comprises at least one fan additionally provided on the casing for drawing heat within a casing via heat convection and enhancing performance of the cooling chip.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cooling device, which comprises a cooling chip for lowering the temperature of the biological sample, maintaining the temperature of a biological sample in a certain range in the process of experiment, and further eliminating trouble due to the use of ice bucket and ice block. Thus, not only keeping an eye on the temperature of biological sample and ice bucket at any time in the process of experiment is not necessary, but also the contamination to the biological sample due to ice block or ice water is effectively prevented.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cooling device, which comprises a cooling chip instead of ice blocks and ice bucket to preserve a biological sample in the process of experiment primarily for eliminating trouble in making ice and reducing energy wastage for the purpose of environmental protection.

To achieve the previous mentioned objects, the present invention provides cooling device, comprising: a carrying unit, made of materials with high thermal efficiency, and used for carrying at least one biological sample; a thermal insulation unit covering a part of the carrying unit; and a temperature-lowering module, used for carrying the carrying unit, and including at least one cooling chip for the regulation of the temperature of the biological sample on the carrying unit, wherein the carrying unit and the thermal insulation unit are placed on or separated from the temperature-lowering module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a cooling device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing above embodiment of the present invention when a carrying unit and a temperature-lowering module are separated;

FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of a cooling device according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective diagram of a cooling device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a structural diagram of a cooling device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in this figure, a cooling device 10 mainly comprises a carrying unit 11, a thermal insulation unit 13, and a temperature-lowering module 15. The carrying unit 11 is able to carry at least one biological sample 12, and the carrying unit 11 and/or the thermal insulation unit 13 may be either placed on, or separated from the temperature-lowering module 15 as required.

The temperature-lowering module 15 mainly comprises at least one cooling chip 151, and may lower temperature via the cooling chip 151. A temperature difference may be created for achieving the purpose of lowering temperature, when a potential difference occurs between two ends of the cooling chip 151. The cooling chip 151 has the advantage of small volume, no noise, non-necessity of refrigerant, long service life, and possibility of standing upside down or sideward, as compared with the traditional refrigeration compressor.

For the cooling chip 151 available on the market, the maximum temperature difference between two ends of this chip may be approximately 62° C. On condition of room temperature of 27° C., the lowest attainable temperature of the cooling chip 151 is approximately −35° C. in theory. For the general biological sample 12 or enzyme, the preservation temperature is approximately in the range of −5° C. to 5° C., preferably 0° C. to 2° C. For the purpose of preservation of biological sample 12 or enzyme, therefore, the cooling chip 151 may be used, in such a way that the temperature of the biological sample 12 or enzyme may be maintained between −5° C. and 5° C., or 0° C. and 2° C.

In one preferred embodiment of the present of invention, the temperature-lowering module 15 further comprises a first thermally conductive plate 153 and a second thermally conductive plate 155 provided in a stacked manner. The cooling chip 151 is then located between the first thermally conductive plate 153 and the second thermally conductive plate 155, and in contact with both of them. In operation, the carrying unit 11 may be placed on the first thermally conductive plate 153 and carried thereby.

After the cooling chip 151 is powered, the temperature difference between the first thermally conductive plate 153 and the second thermally conductive plate 155 may occur, and the temperature of the first thermally conductive plate 153 may be lowered. The temperature-lowering module 15 may also comprise a control unit 141 used for controlling the current or voltage inputted to the cooling chip 151, so as to control or regulate the temperature of the temperature-lowering module 15. In alternative embodiments, naturally, a temperature-sensing unit 143 used for sensing the temperature of the temperature-lowering module 15 may be additionally provided for the temperature-lowering module 15.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the temperature-sensing unit 143 may be in contact with the first thermally conductive plate 153 for sensing the temperature of the first thermally conductive plate 153, and may be connected with the control unit 141 and the cooling chip 151. The magnitude of voltage or current inputted to the cooling chip 151 may be then controlled on the basis of the temperature sensed by the temperature-sensing unit 143, so as to regulate or change the temperature of the cooling chip 151 and the first thermally conductive plate 153.

Further, it is only necessary for the control unit 141, temperature-sensing unit 143, and cooling chip 151 to maintain the temperature of the temperature-lowering module 15 or the first thermally conductive plate 153 in the range of −5° C. to 5° C., or 0° C. to 2° C., because the preservation temperature in the range of approximately −5° C. to 5° C., preferably approximately 0° C. to 2° C. is required for the biological sample 12 or enzyme. In other words, there is no need for the cooling device 10 described in the present invention to provide the function of temperature regulation or temperature display, while only the light signal indicating whether the temperature of the temperature-lowering module 15 achieves a predetermined temperature is required. Thus, the volume and weight of the cooling device 10 may be reduced, further beneficial for the setup cost of the cooling device 10.

The carrying unit 11 may be made of materials with high thermal efficiency, and used for carrying the biological sample 12. For example, the biological sample 12 may be put in test tubes 121, and the test tubes 121 are then inserted into the carrying unit 11. The thermal insulation unit 13 may cover a part of outer surface of the carrying unit 11, such as side surfaces and/or a part of upper surface of the carrying unit 11, for example, and may be used to block heat transmission between the carrying unit 11 and the outside, so as to maintain the temperature of the carrying unit 11 and biological sample 12.

In the process of experiment or observation of the biological sample 12, the carrying unit 11 may be placed on the temperature-lowering module 15, as well as the temperature of the carrying unit 11 and biological sample 12 may be lowered by the temperature-lowering module 15, or preferably the temperature of the carrying unit 11 and biological sample 12 may be maintained in the range of −5° C. to 5° C., or 0° C. to 2° C.

In one embodiment of the present invention, there is no thermal insulation unit 13 provided on the lower surface or a part of lower surface of the carrying unit 11. When the carrying unit 11 is placed on the temperature-lowering module 15, the temperature-lowering module 15 and the carrying unit 11 may be in contact with each other, and the temperature of the carrying unit 11 may be lowered via heat conduction, in such a way that the temperature of the carrying unit 11 and biological sample 12 may be maintained in a certain range. For example, all of the carrying unit 11, the first thermally conductive plate 153, and the second thermally conductive plate 155 are made of materials with high thermal efficiency (metal materials). When the carrying unit 11 is placed on the first thermally conductive plate 153, the temperature of the carrying unit 11 and biological sample 12 may be regulated or maintained by the cooling chip 151 via heat conduction.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a structural diagram of a cooling device according to another embodiment of the present invention. The cooling device 10 also comprises a casing 17, which covers a part of the temperature-lowering module 15. Further, the second thermally conductive plate 155 is provided inside the casing 17. In operation, the carrying unit 11 and/or the thermal insulation unit 13 may be placed on or separated from the temperature-lowering module 15, for providing a user with enhanced convenience of operation. For instance, the carrying unit 11 and biological sample 12 may be removed from the temperature-lowering module 15, and then stored in another storage environment with constant temperature. Moreover, the carrying unit 11 and biological sample 12 stored in the environment at constant temperature may be removed and then placed on the temperature-lowering module 15 for the observation or experiment with respect to the biological sample 12. Moreover, when the carrying unit 11 and biological sample 12 are removed from the temperature-lowering module 15, the temperature of the carrying unit 11 and biological sample 12 may be still maintained during a certain period of time, due to the thermal insulation unit 13 provided on a part of outer surface of the carrying unit 11.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a structural diagram of a cooling device according to another embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in this figure, a cooling device 20 mainly comprises a carrying unit 11, a thermal insulation unit 13, a temperature-lowering module 15, and a casing 17, in which the temperature-lowering module 15 comprises at least one cooling chip 151, a first thermally conductive plate 153, and a second thermally conductive plate 155. On the lower surface of the second thermally conductive plate 155, there is provided with at least one fin 257, beneficial for drawing heat for the enhancement of the performance of the cooling chip 151.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the fin 257 may be provided on the second thermally conductive plate 155 directly, and heat from the cooling chip 151 and/or the second thermally conductive plate 155 may be transmitted to the fin 257 via heat conduction. The heat dissipation efficiency of the cooling chip 151 and/or the second thermally conductive plate 155 may be thus enhanced due to a larger contact area between the fin 257 and the outside. In alternative embodiments, naturally, the fin 257 may be also an independent means, and connected with the second thermally conductive plate 155 via thermal adhesive (not shown).

In one embodiment of the present invention, both of the second thermally conductive plate 155 and the fin 257 are provided inside the casing 17. Furthermore, for the enhancement of heat dissipation effect and the performance of the cooling chip 151, at least one fan 26 may be further provided on the casing 17 additionally, so as to draw heat within the casing 17 via heat convection. There may be one or more fans 26. When the number of the fans 26 is two, the fans 26 may be provided on opposite sides of the casing 17, respectively. In this case, one of the fans 26 may exhaust air within the casing 17, and the other one may supply air outside of the casing 17.

The cooling device 20 may also comprise a covering plate 29, used for covering the biological sample 12 and/or carrying unit 11, for the isolation of the biological sample from the contact with outside, and the avoidance of the biological sample 12 to be contaminated during observation or experiment. Moreover, on the covering plate 29, a viewing window 291 may be also provided such that the biological sample 12 may be located under the viewing window 291, allowing a user to observe the biological sample 12 through the viewing window 291, when the covering plate 29 covers the biological sample 12 and/or carrying unit 11.

In another embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the covering plate 29 may be also provided over the thermal insulation unit 13, and opened or closed with respect to the thermal insulation unit 13, carrying unit 11, and/or biological sample 12. When a user is intended to move the carrying unit 11, he can previously use the covering plate 29 to cover the biological sample 12 and/or carrying unit 11, in such a way that the contamination to the biological sample 12 during this motion may be avoided.

The foregoing description is merely one embodiment of the present invention and not considered as restrictive. All equivalent variations and modifications in shape, structure, feature, and spirit in accordance with the appended claims may be made without in any way from the scope of the invention. 

1. A cooling device, comprising: a carrying unit made of materials with high thermal efficiency for carrying at least one biological sample; a thermal insulation unit covering a part of said carrying unit; and a temperature-lowering module adapted to carry said carrying unit, comprising at least one cooling chip for the regulation of the temperature of said biological sample on said carrying unit, wherein said carrying unit and said thermal insulation unit are placed on or separated from said temperature-lowering module.
 2. The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein said temperature-lowering module further comprises a first thermally conductive plate and a second thermally conductive plate provided in a stacked manner, and said cooling chip is located between said first thermally conductive plate and said second thermally conductive plate.
 3. The cooling device according to claim 2, wherein said temperature-lowering module further comprises at least one fin provided on a lower surface of said second thermally conductive plate.
 4. The cooling device according to claim 3, comprising a casing for covering a part of said temperature-lowering module, said second thermally conductive plate and said fin.
 5. The cooling device according to claim 4, comprising a fan provided on said casing for drawing heat within said casing via heat convection.
 6. The cooling device according to claim 2, wherein all of said carrying unit, said first thermally conductive plate and said second thermally conductive plate are made of metal materials.
 7. The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of said temperature-lowering module is maintained between 0° C. and 2° C.
 8. The cooling device according to claim 1, comprising a cover provided over said thermal insulation unit for covering said biological sample, wherein said cover comprises a viewing window.
 9. The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein said temperature-lowering module further comprises a control unit for controlling said cooling chip, and regulating the temperature of said temperature-lowering module.
 10. The cooling device according to claim 9 comprising a temperature-sensing unit connected with said cooling chip and said control unit, wherein said temperature-sensing unit is able to sense the temperature of said temperature-lowering module, and said control unit is able to regulate the temperature of said cooling chip on the basis of the temperature sensed by said temperature-sensing unit. 